TO LECTORS: A guide for introducing each book of the Bible Please refer to this guide as you rehearse your reading for the week.

THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Torah

Book Lector’s Introduction

Genesis “A reading from the Book of Genesis.” Exodus “A reading from the Book of Exodus.” Leviticus “A reading from the Book of Leviticus.” Numbers “A reading from the Book of Numbers.” Deuteronomy “A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.”

History/Corporate Memory

Book Lector’s Introduction

Joshua “A reading from the Book of Joshua.” Judges “A reading from the Book of Judges.” Ruth “A reading from the Book of Ruth.” 1 Samuel “A reading from the First Book of Samuel.” 2 Samuel “A reading from the Second Book of Samuel.” 1 Kings “A reading from the First Book of Kings.” 2 Kings “A reading from the Second Book of Kings.” 1 Chronicles “A reading from the First Book of Chronicles.”

2 Chronicles “A reading from the Second Book of Chronicles.” Ezra “A reading from the Book of Ezra.” Nehemiah “A reading from the Book of Nehemiah.” Esther “A reading from the Book of Esther.”

Wisdom

Book Lector’s Introduction

Job “A reading from the Book of Job.” Psalms "The Psalm appointed for today is Psalm ___. It will be read responsively by half-verse." Proverbs “A reading from the Book of Proverbs.”

Ecclesiastes “A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes.” Song of Solomon “A reading from the Song of Solomon.”

Major Prophets

Book Lector’s Introduction

Isaiah “A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.” Jeremiah “A reading from the Prophet Jeremiah.” Lamentations “A reading from the Lamentations of Jeremiah.” Ezekiel “A reading from the Prophet Ezekiel.” Daniel “A reading from the Prophet Daniel.”

Minor Prophets (Hebrew: Book of the Twelve)

Book Lector’s Introduction

Hosea “A reading from the Prophet Hosea.” Joel “A reading from the Prophet Joel.” Amos “A reading from the Prophet Amos.” Obadiah “A reading from the Prophet Obadiah.” Jonah “A reading from the Prophet Jonah.” Micah “A reading from the Prophet Micah.” Nahum “A reading from the Prophet Nahum.” Habakkuk “A reading from the Prophet Habakkuk.” Zephaniah “A reading from the Prophet Zephaniah.” Haggai “A reading from the Prophet Haggai.” Zechariah “A reading from the Prophet Zechariah.”

Malachi “A reading from the Prophet Malachi.”

The Apocrypha (Shown here are only the books in the Apocrypha which we occasionally come across in our daily or weekly lectionary.)

Book Lector’s Introduction

Tobit “A reading from the Book of Tobit.” Wisdom “A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon.” Sirach, a/k/a Ecclesiasticus “A reading from Ecclesiasticus.” -or-

“A reading from the Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach.” (Please note that this is different from Ecclesiastes.)

Baruch “A reading from the Book of Baruch.” 1 Maccabees “A reading from the First Book of Maccabees.” 2 Maccabees “A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees.” 2 Esdras “A reading from the Second Book of Esdras.”

THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels (Lay lectors don’t typically read the Gospel during Holy Eucharist, but on other occasions. Note that this introduction is different from the one used in Holy Eucharist.)

Book Lector’s Introduction

Matthew “A reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew.” Mark “A reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark.” Luke “A reading from the Gospel according to St. Luke.” John “A reading from the Gospel according to St. John.” Acts “A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.”

The Epistles *Ignore this introduction. [M+]* (These introductions assume Pauline authorship only of those seven letters scholars agree are his. Scholars are of wide-ranging opinions on the literal authorship of Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, but church tradition would allow for putting Paul’s name to them. Older tradition ascribing Hebrews to Paul clearly does not hold water.)

Book Lector’s Introduction

Romans “A reading from letter of St. Paul to the Romans.”1 Corinthians “A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.”2 Corinthians “A reading from second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.”Galatians “A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians.”Ephesians “A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians.”Philippians “A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.”Colossians “A reading from letter of St. Paul to the Colossians.”

1 Thessalonians “A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.”2 Thessalonians “A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.”1 Timothy “A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy.”2 Timothy “A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy.”Titus “A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Titus.”Philemon “A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon.”Hebrews “A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.” James “A reading from the letter of St. James.”1 Peter “A reading from the first letter of St. Peter.”2 Peter “A reading from the second letter of St. Peter.”1 John “A reading from the first letter of St. John.”2 John “A reading from the second letter of St. John.”

3 John “A reading from the third letter of St. John.”Jude “A reading from the letter of St. Jude.”

An Apocalypse

Book Lector’s Introduction

Revelation “A reading from the Revelation to St. John.”